Last week the Putnam County Legislature deferred a vote on appointing former County Executive Bob Bondi as an unpaid special adviser to care-taker County Executive Paul Eldridge on regional planning and smart growth issues. Though there was no concrete explanation one must assume that the peals of hysterical laughter emanating from the meeting room had something to do with it.

Patterson's former Highway Superintendent, Charlie Williams, pleaded guilty in court the other day and ended up with a sweetheart settlement that mirrors the type given to favored politicians. I can assure you that had you or I done the same thing we'd be sitting in the hoosegow for a very, very long time.

If you need to get outside this weekend, although the weather will be cooler than yesterday or today, why not take a hike on a Hudson Valley Greenway Trail? Click here to go to their page and take a hike!

When "Treating" Means "Logging"

Remember when the DEC/DEP and WAG wanted to "treat" 400 acres of Mt. Nimham, which sounds like a movie, dinner and sex, when what they really wanted to do was to treat those acres to a date with backhoes and chainsaws? DEC is now conducting a Jargon Survey to see if the general public has any clue what they're talking about most of the time.

Please encourage friends and family to take this so they can see how well their jargon is understood outside of DEC. Here's the link to the public survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KXYKNMM which will run through Feb 25.

The survey was widely distributed among those "in the know", people who mostly understand the terms involved. What is needed is for those who are not "in the know" to participate as I can guarantee the public at large has little idea what many of the tested terms mean. Take the 7 minutes out of your day and give it a whirl.

Flanders vs Wallonia and Everyone Wins!

It is now 250 days since Belgium became a nation without a government. It's a long story but suffice as an explanation that the Flemish in the north and the Walloons in the south cannot come to an agreement on power sharing at the Federal level. Yesterday, thousands of Belgians took to the street in a "Chips" revolution where they ate french fires (ha! Belgian fries, is more like it!) in protest and many stripped off their clothes in 6C weather.

But you know, for 250 days, the lights stayed on, the trains still ran, fires got put out, people went to work and to school and to market.... maybe they're on to something?

Thus I propose the following: Putnam County should disband its County Legislature and send the new County Executive back to Cold Spring. If the nation of Belgium can function without a working government, why can't Putnam County?

Oh Nan!

Congresswoman Nan Hayworth put out her first "newsletter" the other day and when she took a breath from her partisan rambling she said this: "In just the first month of the 112th Congress my colleagues and I cut spending by more than $650 billion."

She did? I mean, they did? I've looked and looked and looked and I cannot find $650 billion in approved Federal budget cuts. Oh, I'm finding the same number being talked up by every Republican in Congress but I'm not finding the actual *cuts*, just the chatter.

I suppose if you include votes on bills that did not pass, bills submitted that entail cuts and the like then yes, they have proposed $650 billion in reductions but that's not the same thing as actually cutting the budget, as she has claimed. The best I can come up with is a proposal to cut $500 billion from Medicare (which would end the program) that would, if projections are accurate, find a reduction of $650 billion over ten years.

One possibility is cutting all Federal Aid to states which would amount to around $650 billion though I'm pretty sure even the 'baggers aren't proposing that! Another possibility is that Ms. Hayworth is referring to Obama's own proposed budget which includes $650 billion in cuts over ten years.

Regardless, Republicans have not *cut* Federal spending by any amount of money at this point so I judge Ms. Hayworth is full of shit on this claim.

A hearty Congratulations goes out to Phoenicia, NY, voted the 6th "coolest" town in the USA. Lewsiberg, West Virginia ranked first though I don't know why. Having been to both, Phoenicia is way cooler.

The other day at George Washington University, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was giving a speech on human rights violations around the world when 71 year old anti-war activist Ray McGovern quietly stood and turned his back to her in protest.

What resulted from his passive action was that he was jumped, roughly handled and had two sets of handcuffs put on him by university security guards. Ms. Clinton never broke stride while she examined the role social network sites like Facebook played in the recent pro-democracy demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia and most sadly, the audience sat quietly while security guards wrestled the septuagenarian out of the hall and then, after becoming concerned about his bleeding wrists and showing bruises, turned him over to the DC cops who took him to hospital.

So the next time you attend a speech by a government official speaking on freedom, make it a point not use any.On February 22 at 5:30PM there will be a demonstration before a performance of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall to call attention to the launching of rockets into Israeli neighborhoods from terrorist bases in Gaza, to the 20,000 man Iranian trained and armed Hezbollah army in the south of Lebanon, to draw attention to the plight of women and LGBT people in Gaza and the West Bank, the crushing of a native Palestinian pro-democracy movement, the lack of a free press in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Arab nations around the region which has resulted in the world's largest regional apartheid.

Oh wait! I have that wrong...

The demonstration is against Israel for being the lone democracy in the middle east and for giving women and other minorities full rights and privileges of citizenship and for having a free press. My bad. If you should care to attend, the link is here.

Moving On Used To Be Easy

As some of you know I have been looking for another place to live, a live-in roommate or a better economy but primarily, a more affordable, rural, place for me and the dog. As it is I'm a month behind with the rent, the landlord has little sympathy (nor do they need to) and yadda, yadda... a long story repeated often enough by many in the trades most notably since the recession hit. There's no government bail-out for the self employed and the "safety net" Republicans are always bitching about? I'd like to know where the fuck it is. Alas, I should have been a banker or some other rich white Protestant when I had the chance. You know, like before my bris?

Anyway, one of the tools I've used to look for a place to move to was Google Maps and their Real Estate app. Go to any location in the United States, Canada or several overseas nations and select Real Estate from the tabs and bingo! bango! litte red dots appeared on the map signifying homes for sale. But if you go to the sidebar you could select to show just the places for rent! Then, with a single click on a dot you could get the lowdown on the place.

It was a great tool but they've gotten rid of it with one of their VP's saying there were other tools that did the same job. But there are no other tools, Google's Real Estate search was the most useful tool at their maps product. But alas, much like no user has a say in Facebook's ever-worsening interface, so it is the same with Google.

(PS: Paul Camarda, calm down. I'm not going anywhere just yet. Relax. But you could offer me one of those 50k a year development jobs in say, Washington or Franklin or Essex County, NY? It's virgin territory for you and you know I could sell ice cubes to Eskimos just as easy as shopping malls to hillbillies.)

Ongoing:

Photographs: Little People

A Photographic exhibition by Chris Casaburi. As complex as big people, Little People captures the individuality and uniqueness of people in the early stages of their life, featuring commissioned photographs and personal work.

As you walk into the Kent Library make a hard right turn, then look to your right you’ll see a wall of large colorful prints. This exhibit celebrates the wonders of childhood… up one minute and down the next, moods can swing in an instant. Mr. Casaburi said, "It’s important to work quickly when photographing children. They tend to have little patience. They meet me and the lights and the camera, and they play along for awhile."

Known in the commercial and editorial world for his colorful and engaging portraits of corporate executives, Chris’ work with children reveals a different side in this series of large color photographs. In this exhibit Chris celebrates the wonders of childhood.

Tax Preparation Assistance For Seniors

AARP TAX-AIDE volunteers will again be providing free tax return preparation services at the Kent Public Library. The program is for all low to moderate income taxpayers with special attention given to seniors at the Kent Public Library. Electronic filing is offered for both Federal and New York State returns. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to take advantage of this service. AARP Tax-Aide is the largest volunteer tax preparation service in the nation and all tax counselors are IRS Volunteer Certified.

Every Tuesday February 8 through April 12 from 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm. Every Thursday February 10 through April 14 from 10am, 10:45am, 11:30am.

Appointments Required: Call (845) 225-8585.

"Comic Book Art" Exhibit

A new one-person show titled "Comic Book Art" with drawings, paintings, and story boards by Kent artist Franco Aureliani, a popular art teacher at Carmel High School, opens on February 1. The exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of the Kent Library and runs through the end of the month. With names like Tiny Titans and Shazam, the comic book superheroes of today as drawn by Aureliani, are intensely colored, powerful, and fun. Story board and thumbnails, as well as finished comic books by Aureliani will highlight the process and challenges of this narrative art.

Friday, February 18

Forest Service encourages participation in Great Backyard Bird Count

WASHINGTON, February 14th, 2011 -- The U.S Forest Service is encouraging the public to consider a forest or grassland as their "backyard" for the Great Backyard Bird Count, a long-running citizen science program spearheaded by Cornell University that creates a real-time snapshot of where birds are across the continent.

Participants in the winter Great Backyard Bird Count can spend as little as 15 minutes a day between Feb. 18 and 21 to tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time. Those numbers are entered into the Great Backyard Bird Count website database, which is used by researchers.

"We are continuing our work at the U.S. Forest Service to maintain and restore our forests while providing an exhilarating outdoor experience for millions of Americans," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "What better way to enjoy the outdoors than to participate in bird research as citizen scientists and to do it in some of the most beautiful scenic areas our country has to offer."

Bird research is important to help maintain and restore habitats necessary to sustain healthy migratory and resident bird populations. The Forest Service is an international leader in bird conservation through the Wings Across the Americas program and has been a strong leader in scientifically rigorous bird population monitoring through the development of the Integrated Monitoring Bird Conservations Regions program.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

Don't Jump To Conclusions, the Economic Impact of the Marcellus Shale

7PM at the Beacon Sloop Club (on the river-side of the Beacon Train Station). Dr. Janette Barth will speak at the Beacon Sloop Club tomorrow night, Friday February 18, - 7:00 pm - "Dont' Jump to Conclusions, the Economic Impact of Drilling in the Marcellus Shale." This is a hot topic of great import to our state. This side of the debate has been sadly neglected. Come hear what she has to say.

Jannette M. Barth, Ph.D. is president of J.M. Barth & Associates, Inc., an economic research and consulting firm, and founder of Pepacton Institute LLC. Dr. Barth has worked in the fields of economic analysis and econometric modeling and forecasting for over 35 years. She received her B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Several of her former positions include Chief Economist, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Consultant and Account Manager, Chase Econometrics/Interactive Data Corporation. Call 845-542-0721 for more information.

Tartuffe

8PM - A new translation of this classic play by Roger McGough. “Under the cloak of religious piety, the lecherous, menacing, arch-hypocrite title character schemes to marry his benefactor’s daughter, seduce his wife, then defraud him of all he possesses. Does the scoundrel succeed? Take your seat and find out in this new and exciting adaptation of one of the world’s greatest comedies.” At the Philipstown Depot Theater, at Garrison Landing. Tickets are $18 and reservations can be made here. Repeats February 19, 25 and 26 at 8PM, February 20 and 27 at 2PM and, March 4,5 at 8PM and March 6 at 2PM.

The Bereznak Brothers

9PM - At Touch Base, 9 Winkler Place, Chester, NY No Cover/ 18 & Over. Please join us in Chester, NY this Saturday for an evening of great music with THE BEREZNAK BROTHERS BAND!!! We'll be starting off the evening with an acoustic set and moving into 2 full sets of pure electricity. We'll be playing a load of original songs and cover material that will rock your socks off!!! This is our first time in Chester, NY so please come out and help us feel welcome. No cover charge... Food and drinks are very reasonably priced. We hope to see you there!!! For all things Bereznak Brothers.... please go to www.3Bband.com

Sunday, February 20

Dan Bern

8PM - With Common Rotation. At the Highline Ballroom. A rare New York performance by this mid-western singer-songwriter. Dan has worked with Putnam County's Jonathan Demme, writing original songs for Demme's off-Broadway production of "Family Week", which included a duet with Emmylou Harris. And if you've ever seen, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" you were listening to Dan's songs. Dan once said, “I think of songs as, you know, like chairs that you make. And you want to see ‘em used.”

Fresh off the heels of 2010’s Live in Los Angeles, Bern will release, "Live in New York" for this tour. The two live records include some of his best-loved songs, including “Jerusalem,” “God Said No,” “I’m Not the Guy” and “Tiger Woods,” as well as a slew of brand new songs and previously live-only material. 2010 also saw the release of Bern’s first kid’s album, Two Feet Tall.

From the Consequence of Sound review of a 2010 show: "On “Jerusalem”, the opening song of Dan Bern’s 1996 debut, Dog Boy Van, the prolific Iowa-born songwriter sang, “And if you must put me in a box/Make sure it’s a big box.” Some 14 years, 17 records, and several hundred songs later, these words seem remarkably predictive, because nobody has quite found a box big enough to fit Dan Bern in. As a songwriter, he’s equal parts Woody Guthrie, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., sex therapist, cultural correspondent, preschool teacher, messiah (self-proclaimed), and baseball fan, and that’s only scratching the surface. His live shows—an entertaining and offbeat amalgamation of these personas—are as close as fans ever really get to the complete Dan Bern experience."

Into The Future:

Tuesday, February 22

Catch-22

6:30PM - Alan Arkin plays an Air Force captain trying to escape the travesties of World War II by convincing his commanders that he's crazy. Mike Nichols directs this cinematic adaptation of Joseph Heller's black comedy about a small group of flyers in the Mediterranean in 1944. Cost: Free. Location: Community Room, Adriance Memorial Library, 93 Market St Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Contact: 845 876-7906

Evening Speaker Series Focuses on Global Climate Change

7:30PM - "Current and future changes in our region's climate will create real challenges for municipalities in the Hudson Valley, and nowhere will they be more serious than in the towns along the Hudson River," according to Dr. Sacha Spector, Director of Conservation Science at Scenic Hudson. Join Dr. Spector on Tuesday, February 22, at the Cornwall Presbyterian Fellowship Hall (222 Hudson St., Cornwall-on-Hudson) at 7:30pm to review the latest climate change projections, and find out what these might mean for the Hudson Valley's communities. Learn specific steps that can be taken by citizens and officials. Suggested donation: $7 for museum and $5 for church members. Call 845/534-5506 for more information. Come early for better seating.

Saturday, February 26

Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries

Gary Carrión-Murayari was recently appointed Associate Curator at the New Museum, New York. Prior to that, he worked for seven years at the Whitney Museum of American Art where he curated or co-curated exhibitions including "Television Delivers People," "Elad Lassry: Three Films," and "Whitney on Site: Tauba Auerbach." His most recent exhibition is "Karthik Pandian: Unearth." Together with Francesco Bonami, he co-curated the 2010 Whitney Biennial.

Hello Dolly!

5PM - Winter giving you cabin fever? Join us for free pizza and a movie. The Putnam County Historical Society proudly presents Hello, Dolly!, filmed right here in historic Philipstown. Before the screening, join Kendall Ingenito for a presentation and mini-exhibition of photographs by Robert Beckhard, taken during the production.

Hello, Dolly! starring Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, and Michael Crawford is set in turn-of-the-century Yonkers, where an ambitious young widow with a penchant for matchmaking has an idea for the perfect match--tight-fisted, local merchant Horace Vandergelder and--herself! The run time for this celebrated musical is 148 minutes.

The Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum is located at 63 Chestnut Street in Cold Spring. Free for the general public. Space is limited; reservations are strongly suggested. Please call 845-265-4010 or email by February 23rd.

Maggie Seligman

8:30PM - Opening for Catie Curtis at the Towne Crier Cafe, 130 Route 22 Pawling, NY (845) 855-1300 The Town Crier is one of the premier music venues around and one of the most supportive environments for musicians of all kinds, thanks to the long-time commitment and dedication of owner Phil Ciganer. Not only is there great music served up here but also great food. If you have never had the pleasure of the "Crier" experience, now would be a perfect time to do it!

Sunday, February 27th

Winter Ecology Walk

2PM Join Cary Institute educators for an interpretive stroll along our snow-covered trails. While bears and chipmunks are sleeping away the winter, there are still signs of life on our grounds. Put on your hat and boots and discover animal tracks, ice bell formations, cold weather insects, and the wonders of winter survival. Meet at the main campus parking area, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook, NY. RSVPs are required; let us know if you are signing up for the adult walk or the family-friendly walk. Contact (845) 677-7600 x 121 or e-mail freemanp@caryinstitute.org.

Last Sunday in February

4:30PM - "Until Hamlet Laughs", a one-act play by John J. Curran. And Agent Si, a a singer, songwriter who lives in Westchester NY. Born and raised in Chicago, she started out singing and performing as a teen. In her 20’s set off for London to work as a fashion model and sing. Her career brought her to New York. At the Beanrunner Cafe, 201 S. Division Street. Wine & Cheese, Live Jazz. $12. donation. Produced by Ted Bitter and Drew Claxton.

Gathering to Honor Volunteers

5PM - Dorrie O'Brien House, 63 Cobb Road, Southeast. The Putnam County Land Trust presents a brief presentation, Introduction of new Volunteer Coordinator, Refreshments, and Free-Flowing Gratitude in an informal setting. Chat with Trustees over snacks, share your ideas and experiences, and meet other Volunteers who have generously helped PCLT over the years.

Sunday, March 6

Putnam Arts Council Annual Members Meeting

3PM The Putnam Arts Council will hold its 48th annual Members’ meeting on Sunday March 6, at 2pm followed by an opening reception for the Members’ exhibit, 3-5pm at the Belle Levine Art Center, 521 Kennicut Hill Rd., Mahopac.

Executive Director Joyce Picone and the PAC Board will review 2010 accomplishments and plans for 2011 including Board elections and an exciting new support Initiative for members and friends. The meeting will be followed by an opening reception for the Council artist members’ exhibit, from 3-5pm. This is a potluck and attendees are invited to bring a ready to serve dish to share.

All are welcome for both the meeting and the reception. The exhibit remains on view through March 27th , Tuesday - Friday, 10-4 and Sundays 1-4. Admission and parking are free.

The Putnam Arts Council is supported, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and with public funds from Putnam County. Additional support is raised through membership, programs, fundraising, and donations from businesses and individuals.

Information on upcoming cultural events and activities along with directions to the Art Center may be found at putnamartscouncil.com or call 845.803.8622.

Friday, March 18

Two One-Man Shows

8PM - The Blue Horse Repertory Company presents two exciting one man shows at Arts on the Lake on Route 52 in Lake Carmel. Old Hickory by *Ric Siler (photo) and Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins.

Fresh from its successful run at The Woodstock Fringe Festival, Old Hickory will be performed by the author Ric Siler and directed by *Wallace Norman. Old Hickory is the funny, murderous tale of boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy hates girl, boy wants to kill girl. Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins will be performed by *George Kimmel and directed by *Peggity Price.

In Cemetery Man we meet an aging gravedigger who is about to be replaced by a backhoe and who does not accept the change gracefully. As he recounts his experiences, it becomes abundantly clear that digging a proper grave is a human thing, which calls for care and concern if the departed are to go peacefully into eternity.

Saturday, March 19

Two One-Man Shows

8PM - The Blue Horse Repertory Company presents two exciting one man shows at Arts on the Lake on Route 52 in Lake Carmel. Old Hickory by *Ric Siler (photo) and Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins.

Fresh from its successful run at The Woodstock Fringe Festival, Old Hickory will be performed by the author Ric Siler and directed by *Wallace Norman. Old Hickory is the funny, murderous tale of boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy hates girl, boy wants to kill girl. Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins will be performed by *George Kimmel and directed by *Peggity Price.

In Cemetery Man we meet an aging gravedigger who is about to be replaced by a backhoe and who does not accept the change gracefully. As he recounts his experiences, it becomes abundantly clear that digging a proper grave is a human thing, which calls for care and concern if the departed are to go peacefully into eternity.

Sunday, March 27

Vernal Pool Exploration and Book Signing

1PM - Come explore vernal pools and learn about the species that rely on them for survival such as frogs, fairy shrimp, salamanders and newts! A hands-on, outdoor activity for children and families and people of all ages, led by outdoor educator, naturalist and author Laurel Dodge. Wear mud boots! Copies of Laurel's newly published book Nature Study for the Whole Family will be available for purchase and signing. Nature Study for the Whole Family promotes a return to nature study as a first-choice activity for family fun and learning and emphasizes how nature study can bring families closer, create special family memories, and encourage personal growth. Registration is suggested as space is limited. A donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is greatly appreciated with proceeds going towards the future stewardship of Land Trust nature preserves. Call 343-0840, x12 to register or RSVP via our Facebook page. Location: Laurel Hill Preserve, Town of Minisink.

Clearwater's environmental mission is about inspiring and educating the next generation, and we have applied this theme to music. Honoring tradition while looking toward the future has always been a major part of the Clearwater Festival. The Generations concert is all about classic Clearwater artists performing with and inspiring their children and grandchildren in order to carry on their legacy through song.

Tickets for the Clearwater Generations: An Earth Day Celebration concert range from $48 to $98. A limited amount of $250 tickets include premium seating, a post concert reception with the artists, as well as special Clearwater gifts. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.